All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Town & Gown Players to present ‘Matilda The Musical’ in Wallman Hall Theatre

Image courtesy FSU

The Fairmont State University Town & Gown Players will present the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” in the Wallman Hall Theatre on the campus of Fairmont State.

Tickets are on sale now for a night of revolting children and exciting and powerful live entertainment. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Fairmont State Box Office in Wallman Hall or by calling 304-367-4240. “Matilda the Musical” will be performed on the following dates:

  • Friday, June 17 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 18 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 19 – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 22 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 23 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 24 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 25 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 26 – 2 p.m.

“Matilda is a really fun, but it’s also a complex musical. Like Roald Dahl’s writings, its primary audience is kids, but there’s also a message in it for adults,” said director, Troy Snyder. “This is also the biggest show that Town & Gown has presented since we did ‘The Music Man’ 2014.”

“Matilda the Musical” is a wildly funny, joyous power romp with a clever story, catchy songs and dynamic dance numbers. Inspired by his twisted genius, Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” is a captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.

Matilda, played by Olivia Boddy and Ella Hatten, is a young girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and hidden power. She’s unloved by her cruel parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, played by Christian Cox and Ashley Morgan Fink, respectively. Matilda impresses her schoolteacher, the loveable Miss Honey, played by Shannon Yost. Matilda’s headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, played by A. Shawn Dunn, despises children and delights in finding new ways to punish them.

Matilda is joined by a group of talented classmates played by Kavon Newman, as Bruce Bogtrotter, Mia Kopiske, as Lavendar, Jack Santee, as Nigel, Joanna Dugan, Savannah Farcin, Eva Moore and Simon Scanlon.

The older students are played by Franky Satterfield, Wesley Benson, Parker Bombard, Salem Pollastrini, Shaila King, Sara Jo Martin and Colton Daft.

Cast members also include Wesley Benson, as Michael Wormwood, Kathy Dunn, as the friendly librarian, Geoff Coyle, Sarah Lemley, Scott Moore, Matthew O’Neill, Ashley Bainbridge, Devon Neptune, Miki DeMary-Andrew, Matt Scanlon, Dani DeVito, Bryce Weaver, Mathew O’Neill, Franchesca Aloi and Shaila King.

“Matilda the Musical” is directed by Troy Snyder, choreographed by Kim Bell and Ashley Morgan Fink and produced by Leigh Anne Riley. The artistic team and crew include Troy Snyder, Trina Byard, Kurtis Dennison, Ashley Doyle-Sine, Franky Satterfield, James Spears, Brady Dunn and Justin Z. Allan.

“The cast works hard, but no one is working harder than the student actors who have five big dance numbers and are in most of the scenes of the play. I’m amazed by how hard they can work and still smile at the end of rehearsal,” Snyder continued. “Town & Gown Summer Theatre is glad to be back.”   Fairmont State celebrates 60+ years of Town & Gown Players summer theatre and is thrilled to have live theatre back in Wallman Hall. Each Town & Gown Players production features a cast, crew and artistic team comprised of community members, students and professionals who commit their time, talent and steadfast dedication to each performance

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